Charles Leclerc has ‘held back’ what he really wants to say about Ferrari amid 2025 woes

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Charles Leclerc has had a frustrating 2025 campaign with Ferrari, and he was recently called into question by the team’s top personnel.

The Monegasque driver has scored all seven of his team’s podiums this season, producing great drives in a car that should not be fighting for those positions. The SF-25 has been a difficult car to handle for Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Ride height issues and failed upgrades have cost the team dearly as they sit winless with three races to go. The Brazilian Grand Prix was particularly damaging, with Ferrari suffering their second double DNF of the season.

After the race, Ferrari chairman John Elkann criticised Leclerc and Hamilton, telling them to focus more on driving and ‘talk less’. He claimed that the engineers are doing a great job, and that the drivers have not been up to standard.

Leclerc and Hamilton responded on social media, stating that they will give their all in the final races of 2025. However, it masks the friction between the pair and the team, especially with Leclerc, who has not shied away from being critical.

Charles Leclerc has been ‘caught’ holding back what he really thinks about Ferrari in the media pen in 2025

Leclerc previously said Ferrari are the fourth-best team in F1, a statement that is now true after they slipped to P4 in the constructors’ championship following their disaster in Brazil.

Leclerc was ‘not happy’ in Brazil as a downshift problem cost him over the weekend. He has been critical of his car several times this season, but journalist Tim Hauraney has noticed that he is not always saying what he really thinks.

Speaking via Nailing The Apex, he has ‘caught’ Leclerc holding back from saying more about the team in the media pen: “And for Charles Leclerc, I mean, it seems like he’s getting close to his wits’ end here. I think he has been more vocal within the media this season compared to any other season.

“There’s been moments where I’ve caught him wanting to say more, but he just won’t, like he’s held back. And I know there’s more there that he’s willing to give, but he’s abstained.

“When you are a Ferrari driver, those are some of the things you do have to do. But at the same time, if you’re dealing with the same stuff over and over and over again and you’re a championship-calibre driver and you’re having your years wasted, then you are going to say things.

“You are going to get frustrated, you’re going to say some things into the media, you’re not going to be kind about the car, you’re telling them what you need from it, and he’s not getting it.”

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Could Charles Leclerc leave Ferrari after the 2026 season?

Elkann’s criticism of Leclerc and the 28-year-old’s frustration with the car will fuel rumours of a potential split between the two parties. The Ferrari star has been linked with a move away from the team in recent months.

Leclerc has been linked with Mercedes, as well as several other teams in the paddock. While he has a contract with Ferrari until 2029, he is said to be considering his options for 2027.

Leclerc joining Aston Martin has become a ‘hot topic’ in the F1 paddock. Fernando Alonso could retire from the sport in 2026, opening the door for the Monegasque driver to link up with Adrian Newey and his exciting project.

Ralf Schumacher thinks Elkann criticised Leclerc over his links to Aston Martin. If he wants to keep him at Ferrari, then he must listen to his drivers and improve the car before he risks losing his star talent.